BOULDER (5/5/11) – The University of Colorado men’s ultimate team Mamabird will look to defend their home turf and bring home a national championship Memorial Day weekend. The Buffaloes will compete in the 2011 USA Ultimate College Championships on May 27-30 at the Pleasant View Sports Complex in north Boulder.
The Buffs are among the best ultimate teams in country and are currently ranked fourth in the nation. CU is led by three senior captains, Evan Padgett, Matty Zemel and Jack Mcshane. The Buffs also have four other seniors who are all hungry for a championship. CU has been working hard to achieve their title goal, practicing five times a week and sticking to a strict conditioning schedule which they hope will help them avenge their loss in the championship game two years ago.
“We are a better and deeper team this year,” said head coach Jim Schoettler. “We will be playing on our own turf here in Boulder. Anything short of a national title will be a significant disappointment.”
Despite the Buffs success this season, they are not favorites to win the title. In order for CU to win their first championship since 2004, they will need to put together a complete performance in the tournament by beating the best teams in the nation. Colorado will have to defeat top programs such as Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Carleton College and Florida.
“That’s the way we want it,” Schoettler said when asked about the challenging road ahead. “We look forward to proving ourselves on Memorial Day weekend.”
If Colorado wants to win, they will need strong performances from Zemel, McShane and Hylke Snieder. Zemel has one of the best throws in college ultimate while Mcshane is an elite handler and Hylke is widely regarded as one of the best receivers in the college game. Younger players on the squad will also need to step up their play. Sophomore Jimmy Mickle is a human highlight reel on offense and has unlimited potential. Tim Morrissy, also a sophomore, will need to showcase his defensive skills if the Buffs are going to make a run come tournament time.
“Our team is a family,” Schoettler said. “This year, the guys have become closer than any other team I’ve coached. They are a great group of young men, and I expect they will put on quite a show in the championships.”
CU Men’s Ultimate website: http://www.mamabird.com/
National Championship information: http://www.usaultimate.org/competition/college_division/college_championships/
